Day 2: Halebid and Belur

After Sravanabelagola, we went to Halebid and Belur. Both temples were built in the early part of the 14th century, Belur 7 years after Halebid. But Halebid was attacked by members of the Delhi Sultanate and the temple was vandalized. What was left was vandalized during the Raj and many pieces are in the British Museum today.

Both and temples at Belur and Halebid are built in layers like a cake. Each layer is decorated with one particular theme. The base layer is usually decorated with elephants, the second with lions, the third and fifth with flowers and the fourth differs on what side of the temple you're on. The upper levels are decorated with scenes from the royal courts, including dancers and courtesans.


A brief primer on Hinduism: It is a polytheic religion with three main gods-Bhrama(creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer.) This trinity has different avataars or manifestations that make up the rest of the religion and its pantheon of gods and goddesses. So, Halebid Temple was dedicated to Shiva and Belur Temple was dedicated to Vishnu.

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Ma, Me and Becky at the entrance to Halebid Temple

The inner sanctum, a Shiva Linga, which is an object of worship to Shiva, to whom Halebid temple is dedicated. Most carvings on this temple tell stories of the life of Shiva and his sons, the elephant-headed god Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya.

View from inside the temple.

The main entrance to the temple is guarded by two gods, carved on either side of the door and a scene from the court carved on the upper part of the door.